Victim’s family testify at murder trial

After taking a look around and satisfied the house was secure, James went back to bed. The next person to wake him up was a police officer who informed him his son had been hurt and had been taken to the hospital.

While getting ready, James then received news his son was dead.

“I said what….I was just stumped,” he said.

(Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

James, who described his son as generally congenial and happy, also acknowledged Norman had issues with drugs and often had visitors.

“My wife and I were always concerned with the number of people he had coming to the house,” James said.

“He knew I wasn’t happy with that kind of stuff.”

When questioned about the number of times police had visited his home, James answered frequently and said most of the questions from officers related to stolen property, drugs or his grandson who was on house arrest.

When asked if he recognized the accused, James said no.

Kerissa Wenzel-Smith, Norman’s oldest daughter, was also home at the time of the incident and testified on Monday to hearing groaning noises coming from the backyard area and then upon looking through a window, seeing her father lying on the step and he was covered in blood.

She was able to recognize him by the identifiable skull tattoo on his shoulder.

Norman Wenzel had four children. (Image Credit: Facebook.)

Another person who was in the house testified to seeing three people in the back alley area and they were fighting. After the assault, two men who were dressed in black, ran off and the third man was Norman Wenzel.

The same witness also initially told police they had seen Normal with his friends, but on Tuesday retracted the statement, claiming they did not know who the men were who ran off.

Two weeks have been set aside for the jury trial. Wednesday’s list of witnesses is expected to include the forensic pathologist who will divulge the cause of death.

Also charged in the case is Rylan Hansen, whose matters are still at the pre-trial stage. His next scheduled hearing is Aug. 7.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Victim’s family testify at murder trial

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